2 for 2! Maccabi Tel Aviv takes care of Diosgyori VTK 4-0

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Diosgyori VTK of Hungary 4:0 on Friday evening in their second preseason match in Austria. Micha (2), Ben Chaim and Igiebor helped the Yellow-and-Blue win their second match in a row to open training camp and will play Russian side FK Anzhi Makhachkala on Tuesday July 7th just prior to returning to Israel the next day.

Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic changed up his starting lineup from last match as veteran midfielder Gal Alberman captained the side. Along with Alberman, Nosa Igiebor and Dor Micha filled the midfield with Barak Itzhaki, Tal Ben Chaim and Eden Ben Basat playing up front. In front of ‘keeper Juan Pablo was a defensive four of Yoav Ziv, Eitan Tibi, Tal Ben Haim and Omri Ben Harush.

Maccabi began the match just the way they ended their last one against FK Vozdovac as they controlled the tempo throughout the first half, having a number of chances just five minutes into the game. In the 32nd minute Barak Izhaki had a chance to give Maccabi a lead, but his penalty kick was saved by the Diosgyori VTK ‘keeper Botond Antal.

However, Maccabi finally broke through just a few minutes later as Dor Micha’s brilliant chip shot went over a leaping Antal and into the goal to give Tel Aviv a 1-0 lead. Seconds before the end of the half it was Tal Ben Chaim who benefited from a terrific Micha assist giving as the Man of the Match gave Ben Chaim an easy tap in goal from close range to put Maccabi up 2:0.

Dor Micha then completed a brace by taking a perfect shot on goal leaving the Diosgyori VTK ‘keeper absolutely helpless to give Maccabi a 3:0 lead. Jokanovic then made a number of substitutions and a few minutes later Nikola Mitrovic made those changes worthwhile. The Serbian midfielder took a a corner kick that found Igiebor in the box who precisely headed the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal for a 4:0 lead. And from there is was game, set, match for Maccabi.

Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic summed up his club’s performance: “I’m very satisfied with our performance here in Austria over the last four-and-a-half days. We’ve had seven days of training camp and two matches and the players are starting to understand what we expect in the tactical part of the game, especially without the ball. I believe we are making positive steps and progress so far.”

Man of the Match Dor Micha finished the game with a brace and an assist praised the club as a whole after this dominating performance. “This was a good match for all of us. Right now it’s important to play as many minutes as possible, get into game shape and get used to the type of things we will be doing al year long. We saw some good things today.”

Micha also shared his feelings on the training camp in Austria: “Were beginning to come together as a group and the coach is implementing a new system and wants us to do new things. We are a squad that has been together for a number of years and all that’s left for us to do is to get used to our new coach and the system. Up until now the training camp has been successful both on a personal and professional level and we’re working hard, enjoying the practices and seeing the positive results.”